Brad Miller joins Mariners, starting at shortstop tonight

Brad Miller is here, in uniform, and starting at shortstop tonight for the Mariners in what is looking like a youth-infused starting nine for the squad.

After the offensive ineptitude against the Pirates, the Mariners are apparently no longer waiting for things to change.

“I’m just trying to let it soak in,” he said. “I’ve talked to a lot of people — family and friends — and I’m just exctied and ready to play.”

Miller’s family is en route from Florida and expected to be at the ballpark tonight to see his major league debut as a shortstop and No. 9 hitter.

“I woke them up last night aout 3 a.m. in Florida,” he said. “I don’t think my dad slept. I’m pretty sure they just hopped on a plane and are going to get here for gametime.”

Miller himself says he got a little sleep after being told of his promotion after yesterday’s Class AAA Tacoma game.

“I just hopped on I-5 and went north instead of south,” he said. “So, that was pretty nice.”

Miller spent much of spring training learning the infield ropes from incumbent shortstop Brendan Ryan, whose starting job he appears to have taken away.

“All the stuff I learned in big league camp this spring, I just wanted to put it into practice,” Miller said. “Put that into practice every day. The stuff I learned from Raul (Ibanez) and (Kyle) Seager and Brendan (Ryan). It definitely has helped. Even just how they about their business and their confidence, it’s huge. And I just wanted to put that into practice.”